"The Lovemaster" Craig Shoemaker at Chicago Improv

Craig Shoemaker, named Comedian of the Year by the American Comedy Awards, headlines at the world-famous Improv. Shoemaker's material spans everything from married life to being a new father to his former status as the "Lovemaster." One of the country's most popular touring comics, Shoemaker has appeared in more than 100 TV shows, including HBO's Comic Relief, The Showtime All Stars and The Hollywood Squares.

The improv gives priority seating to diners, if u do not choose to eat before show- be sure to get there early to sit closer, its 425 seats - it is still a good design everyone is pretty close to stage but if you want to get extra close, get there early

Description

Growing up around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 60’s in an all female household with an estranged father who left the family to own a mule riding business, Craig Shoemaker was not destined to be an accountant! Craig began his television and film career in his hometown in the eighties. He performed characters for the local show “Saturday Night Dead” on KYW-TV and garnered two NATAS Emmy awards for video shorts that he produced, wrote and played all the parts in for PRISM. A few years later, Craig moved to Los Angeles in 1987 and after a few months of sleeping on stolen pool furniture — he hasn’t looked back.

His rise has been steady and includes many highlights: A holding deal with NBC in 1989 and numerous cable comedy show appearances including “Evening at the Improv” and “Comic Strip Live”. Craig earned his Writers Guild card by writing for the series “Just The Ten Of Us” on ABC. His network acting debut came in 1990 playing a local entertainment reporter on the show “Matlock” – his character returned again in 1992. He guest starred on ABC’s “FBI…” and NBC’s “Fresh Prince Of Belair”, while making his feature film debut in the independent feature “Acting On Impulse” with Linda Fiorentino and C. Thomas Howell.

Craig Shoemaker was fast becoming one of the hottest and top drawing comics in America. His appearance with Tim Allen on The cable network’s All-stars was the cable network’s number one special of all time. He was invited to perform at the Gala at the Montreal Comedy Festival, and HBO’s Comic Relief VII. After both performances the reviewers called him one of the “years breakout performers.” A four page, ten photograph article in the New York Times calling Craig “a sitcom waiting to happen” seemed to propel his career to even greater heights. In 1997, he was voted as “Male Standup Comic of the Year” by the American Comedy Awards on ABC. Roesanne and Lily Tomlin announced the winner, and Craig accepted the award before a live audience of comedy legends. Previous winners include Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres, and Jeff Foxworthy, so Craig figures he’ll have a series about “a gay redneck in a show about nothing.”

The feature film business started calling. Craig was one of the leads in the suspense film entitled “Safe House” with Patrick Stewart and Kimberly Williams. He enjoyed playing the teacher in the huge hit “Scream 2” with Neve Campbell. But most importantly, Craig wrote, co-produced and starred in the independent feature, “The Lovemaster”, based on Shoemaker’s signature comedy persona. The film costars Farrah Fawcett, George Wendt, and Ally McBeal’s Courtney Thorne-Smith. Rave reviews followed its small opening, including a ringing endorsement from Kevin Thomas of the LA Times, who said “Shoemaker’s talent and personality come across loud and clear.” “The Lovemaster” won the “Independent Film Festival” in Los Angeles, and is now being released on video.

About the Ticket Supplier: Chicago Improv of Schaumburg

The Improv recently opened the doors of its 25th club. This spectacular new club seats 500, with a corporate skybox accommodating up to 50 people, a corporate meeting room, and a first class dinner menu with a full bar. From the state of the art sound system to the nation's top headliners, Chicago-area residents and visitors can now see firsthand our commitment to delivering the ultimate comedy experience.